Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-01-13

apparently reading, as he sits III q
large armchair, with his eyes fixed in
tently upon the book in his hand. See
ing her, he closes the volume, and,
throwing it from him, says carelessly:
"PShaw -W what contemplate trash
they write nowadays!"
"How can you sit here calmly read
ing" eXclaimS Dora yehemently.
when we are all so distressed in mind!
But | forgot with meaning glance
you gain by his death; we do not.
No, you lose" he retorts coolly.
Though, after all, even had things
been different, / can't say [ think you
had much chance at any time"
lie smiles insolently at her as he says
this. But she pays no heed either to
his words or his smile. Her whole soul
seems wrapped in one thought, and at
last she gives expression to it.
What have you done with him?" she
breaks forth, advancing toward him,
as though TO compel him to give her an
torturlng her for days past.
With Whom?" he asks coldly. Yet
there IS torbldding CLEAN in his eyes
that should have warned her to for
bear.
with Sir Adrian-with YOUR rival.
with the man you hate" she cries. her
breath coming in little irrepressible
gaSps. "DynecOurt, | adjure you to
speak the truth, and say what has be-
come of him."
you rave" he says calmly, lifting
his eyebrows just shade, as though in
pity for her foolish excitement. Il con-
TESS the man was no favorite of mine.
ana that L can not help being glad of
this chance that has presented itself in
Il 20 Of
lnherltlng his place and title; but real
ly, my dear creature, | know as little of
what has become of him, as pre-
sume-you do yourself"
You lie!" cries Dora, losing all con-
troll over herself. You have murder
ed him, to get him out of your path
His death lies ct your door,"
She points her finger at him as
though in condemnation as she utters
these words, but still he does not finch.
They will take you for aBedlamite,"
he says, with a Sneering laugh. IF you
conduct yourself like this. Where are
your proofs that | am the cold-blooded
rutfian you think me?"
Il have nOne"-in deSpairing tone.
But shall make it the business of my
life to find them"
you had better devote your time to
agely, laying his hand upon her wrist
with an amount of force that leaves
a red mark upon the delicate flesh.
Do you hear me? You must be mad to
90 on like this to me. | know nothing
of Adrian, but [ know q good deal of
your designing conduct, and your wild
jealousy of Florence Delmaine. All
the world saw how devoted he was to
her, and-marlI what [ say-there have
noen instances of Jealous woman kill
ing the man she loved, rather than see
him in the arms of another"
"Demonw shrieks Dora, recOiling
from him. you would fix the crime
on me?"
"Why not? [ think the whole case
tells terribly against you. Hitherto I
have spared you, have refrained from
limiting even at the fact that your jeal-
OuSy had been aroused Of late; but
your conduct of to-day, and the willy
manner in which you have sought to
accuse me of being implicated in this
unfortunate mystery connected with
my unhappy cousin, have made me for
get my fOrbearance. Be warned in
time, cease to prosecute me about this
matter, Or-Wretched woman that you
are-I shall certainly make it my bust
ness to investigate the entire matter,
and bring. you to iusticei"
lie speaks with such an air Of truth
of thorough belief in her guilt, that
Dora is dazed, beWildered, and, falling
hands. The fear of publicity, of hay-
ing her late intrigue brought into the
glare of day, fills her with cOnSterna-
ton. And then, what will she gain by
it? Nothing; she has no evidence on
which to convict this man; all is mere
supposition. She bitterly feels the
weakness of her position, and her ina
bility to follow up her accusation.
"Ah, how like guilty creature you
stand there!" eXclaims DynecOurt, re-
garding her bowed and trembling fig
ure. 81 see plainly that this must be
looked into. miserable woman! II
you know aught of my cousin, you had
better declare it now"
"Trait0r!" cries Dora, raising her
pale face and looking at him with hOr-
rOr and defiance. You triumph now,
because, as yet, [ have no evidence to
support my belief; but"-she heSitates.
''Ah, brazen it out to the last" says
DynecOurt inSolently. Defy me while
you can. To-day | shall set the blood
hounds OF the law upon your track, SO
beWare-beWare."
"YOu refuse to tell me anything?" ex-
claims Dora, ignoring his words, and
treating them as though they are I'M
heard. $50 much the worse for YOU"
She turns from him, and leaves the
room as she finishes speaking; but,
though her words have been defiant
there is no kindred feeling in her heart
to bear her up.
When the door closes between them,
the flush lies out of her face, and she
looks even more wan and hopeless than
she did before seeking bis presence.
She can not deny to herself that her
mission has been a failure. He has
openly scoffed at her threats, and she
is aware that she has not shred Of act
ual evidence WhereWith to support her
suspicion; the bravado with which he
has sought to turn the tables upon her
self both frightens and disheartens her,
and now she confesses to herself that
she knows not where to turn for coun-
sell